College Basketball 2024-25 Preview Top 40: #36 Florida Gators

With the 2024-25 College Basketball season on the horizon, it’s time to break down our preseason top 40. Over the next several weeks, we’ll analyze rosters and critical storylines for each program. Our journey continues with No. 36 Florida.

Connelly’s Top 40: #37 Georgia | #38 Memphis | #39 Maryland | #40 McNeese State

Florida Preview: Look Back

Florida 2023-24 Season: Record: 24-12 (11-7 in SEC) |  Postseason: #7 Seed in NCAA Tournament – Lost in First Round

Until the end of January, it felt like Florida was searching for that signature win to help bolster their resumé and give them some stronger footing in the projected NCAA Tournament field. Two came in 11 days with wins over Kentucky and Auburn, and a pair of wins against Alabama in March helped push them up to the seven-seed line. While they fell to Colorado in the opening round, the season should be deemed a success given the expectations entering. The question becomes if they can build on that experience entering 2024-25.

Florida Preview: Departures

Florida’s Biggest Losses:

Zyon Pullin (Graduation) – 15.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.9 APG
Tyrese Samuel (Graduation) – 13.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.9 APG
Riley Kugel (Mississippi State) – 9.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.5 APG

This is a pretty strong group to lose in a single offseason. The Gators lose their star point guard in Pullin, a reliable big man in Samuel, and a promising sophomore in Kugel. The simple matter of fact is that it will take time for Todd Golden to find the right players on next year’s roster to fill the voids they will leave behind. Whether it’s returnees or newcomers, a handful of players must step up to make up for what departed Gainesville over the summer.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Florida Preview: Arrivals

Florida Top Additions:

Alijah Martin (Florida Atlantic) – 13.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG
Sam Alexis (Chattanooga) – 10.8 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.8 APG
Rueben Chinyelu (Washington State) – 4.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.1 APG

Florida Preview: Who’s Back

Florida Top Returnees:

Walter Clayton Jr. – 17.6 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.6 APG
Alex Condon – 7.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.2 APG
Micah Handlogten – 5.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 0.8 APG

The return of Walter Clayton to Florida was one of the more prominent announcements of the college basketball offseason. It gives the Gators an All-American and SEC Player of the Year candidate back on their roster who was finding his groove toward the end of the season. The former Iona guard averaged over 20 points per game across the final 14 games of the season. Condon was one of the more promising SEC freshmen last season, and the 6’11" Australian product should start in the frontcourt for the Gators. And while Handlogten will be on the roster this season, he will be taking a medical redshirt as he continues to recover from a broken leg suffered in last year’s SEC Championship game.

Florida Preview: 2024-25 Season

Florida 2024-25 Season:
Florida National Championship Odds +5500

The Gators have a perfect combination of talented newcomers and important returnees, making this roster construction work. The lone concern comes in the frontcourt, which looks barren with Samuel’s graduation and Handlogten’s injury. It will take a few of Condon, Alexis, or Chinyelu to step up to handle the size of players in the SEC and avoid getting swallowed up. That said, this backcourt is one of the best in the league. Expect Florida to be back in March Madness in 2025.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.